Wash-over spear apparatus



Sept. 11, 1956 c. A. NAYLoR WASH-OVER SPEAR APPARATUS 5 `Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June l, 1954 Cem/ A. /VGg/O/A INVENTOR.

BY m

ATTRNEVJ Sept. 11, 1956 c. A. NAYLOR WSH-OVER SFEAR APPARATUS Filed June l, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

VMM/#MM 5, @4m KM Sept 11., 1956 c. A. NAYLOR 2,762,438

WASH-OVER SPEAR APPARATUS Filed June l, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I l i Wvw A Ce c A. /Vag/Of INVENTOR. l $5/ Y# BY 4M MW ffm Sept 11, 1956 c. A. NAYLOR WASH-OVER SPEAR APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filedl June l, 1954 NVENTOR. BY VMM@ SeP- 11, 1956 c. A. NAYLOR 2,762,438

WASH-OVER SPEAR APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1954 5 sheds-sheet 5 Ce/ A. /Vczg/o/ 50 INVENToR.

km k. \T\ Y United States Patent t 2,762,438 y WASH-OVER SPEARAPPARATUS i vCecil A. Naylor, Shreveport, La. Application June 1, 1954, seal No. 433,575 22 Claims. (ci. 16s-10s).

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in wash over spear apparatus. Y

An object of this invention is to provide a-wash over spear apparatus for freeing a stuck pipe in a well bore, wherein after the stuck pipe is freed, it is prevented from falling in the well bore a suicient distance to cause buckling or other damage to the stuck pipe or the pipe connected therebelow.

An important object is to provide an improved-apparatus wherein a retrieving assembly is combined with a wash pipe in such manner that the wash pipe may be utilized to connect the retrieving assembly to a stuck pipe, after which said wash pipe may thereafter be employed in the usual manner towash over the stuck pipe to effect its release; said apparatus includingrmeans for connecting the wash pipe and the-'retrieving assembly after the stuck pipe has been released, whereby said pipe may be retrieved with removal of the wash pipe from the well bore. t f Y A particular object is to provideV a wash-over spear apparatus having a wash pipe within which a retrieving assembly is adapted to be disposed, together with anchoring means forming part of said retrieving assemblyand automatically operable to anchor the retrieving Vassembly within the pipe in the event the stuck well pipe being washed over suddenly falls downwardly during the washover operation whereby dropping `of the well pipe due to release by said wash-over operation is prevented.

Another object is to provide an apparatus, of the character described, wherein the retrieving assembly mayk be selectively disconnected and re-connected from the wash pipe after the parts have been lowered into the well bore, which arrangement permits the wash pipe to be employed to first connect the retrieving assemblyY to, the stuck pipe, then to function independently of the 'retrieving assembly while washing over the pipe and to thereafter, following loosening of thev stuck' pipe, to be re-connected with the retrieving assembly to be utilized in withdrawing the loosened pipe from the well bore.

A further object is to `provide an apparatus, ofgthe character described, wherein the retrieving assembly'includes an anchoring means which, upon operation, connects the assembly to the wash pipe, together with Ya control means for said anchoring means whchcontrol means is operable by manipulation of the wash pipe; said control means functioning to prevent actuation of the anchoring means when in one position and permitting actuation of said anchoring means when in another position, whereby said anchoring means may be selectively rendered non-settable or settable at the-operators will.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features thereof. y

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specifications and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, vand wherein:

2,762,438 Patentedsep't. 1l, 1956 2 Figure-1-is a View, partly in elevation and partly in sec'- tion, illustrating the wash over spear apparatus of this invention as it is lowered intothe well bore.

Figure 2is a View similar to Figure 1, but illustrating the washv over spear-apparatus of this invention after it has-been connected to'the'stuck'pipe inV the well bore;

Figures 3, 3A iand 3B areV detailed views, partly in elevation and partly in section,` illustrating the'upper, intermediatmgandlower portions of thewash over spear apparatus of thisinvention,respectively, with the parts invanousettable position for preventing the slips from setting. i .v Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3. e v

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View taken on line 5-5'of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Figure 3A...

Figure 7 is ahorizontal sectional view taken on line 7 7 of- Figure 3B.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional View taken on Lline 8--8`.of Figure 3A.

Figure 9 is an isometric view illustrating the portion of the', adapter latch sleeve shown in Figure 8. v

Figure l0 is an elevation of the clutch ring which is illustrated in its assembled positionlin Figure 3. K

Figure 11"isl a view, partly infelevation and partly in section, of the upper portion of the wash over spear apparatus of'. this invention, illustrating the retrieving-assembly or spear device in an anchorable position but priorto the time"that `the,device is actually set in the anchored position. i' f f l,

Figure 12 is a view similarto Figure 111, but illustrating th apparatus in the anchored position. f

Inthe drawings, lthe numeral 10 designates a wash pipe or tubular support of the wash over apparatus Vof this invention' which is suspended from adrill pipeor support pipe (not shown) for lowering the wash over apparatus into the well bore B wherein a section of stuck pipe Bis located in a keyseat B or similarV obstruction in thek Well bore B.Y A conventional annular drill bit or rotary shoe 11 is mounted at the lower'end of vanadapter 16 whichh'is connected to the lower end of the wash pipe lllfTh'ewashf'pipe 10, adapter 16 and drill bit 11 are all of a-suicientinternal diameter to pass around thestuck pipefP'; whereby the drill bit 1`1,can be lowered down belowitlieupper end of the stuck pipe P for surrounding suchpipeR to drill the keyseat B. Retrieving assembly or spearhd'evice A of the wash over spear apparatus of this invention is lowered with the wash pipe 1t) and the drill bit 11' into the well bore B.` After the drill bitll has passed below the upper end of the stuck pipe P and surrounds sarne, a threaded pin 12 at the lower end of the retrieving assembly or spear device A is connected to thel threaded box l13 at the upper end of the stuck pipe P. Thereafter, the drill pipe is rotated to rotate the wash pipe 10 and the drill 11 to drill the keyseat B of the well bore B so as to release the stuck pipe P. During such drilling, the'retrieving 'assembly A is not anchored to the wash pipe'10, but when the stuck pipe P is loosenedsuiciently to move downwardly by reason of the drilling with the bit.\11or"otherwise, the retrieving assembly or spear device A is automatically actuated to `anchor same in the washpipe or tubular support 10, whereby Vthe downward movement of the stuck pipe P is limited to such an extent tlat buckling or other damage to the stuck pipe P from hitting on the bottom of the well bore B is prevented. i Y

In Fguresv', 3A and 3B, the wash over spear apparatus of this invention is illustrated in detail with the parts inthe position they assume duringthe lowering of the apparatus into"'the well bore. The connecting pin 12 with a socket 17a which receives a spring 20 having contact with the arm 17 and with the longitudinal rear wall 15d-of the slot 15b to urge each of the-latching arms "17 radially outwardly into one ofthe longitudinal latch` slots 19 formed in the tubular adapter A'16 connected `between the tubular support and the drill bit 11. With the latching arms 17 'so extended,'the retrieving assembly or spear device A is connected to the tubular support 1'0 so that upon rotation of the support 10, adapter 16 andfdrill bit 11, the anchoring device A is also rotated. 'T he bore of the adapter16 is also provided with an annularrecess or groove 20 below the slots 19 so that if thelatching 'arms 17 do not align with the slots 19 as'theanchoring device is lowered into the tubular support 10, 'theilatching arms 17 will catch in the annular groove 20. Ifthellatching arms 17 do enter the groove 20, up'on'a raising of the anchoring device A the projections 17cwill slide out of the groove 20 and upon a slight rotation 'ofthe'anchoring device A, the arms 17 will enterthe'slots '19. Once the arms 17 engage within the'slots 19then`further upward movement of the Adevice A relative to the'support 10 is prevented by the engagement of theprojections 17c with the upper ends 19a of the slot `19. The particular construction of the slots 19 is illustrated in'FiguresS and 9 wherein it can be seen that the slots 19 areactually formed in an upper tubular adapter section 16a which extends within a lower tubular adapter section `1'6b. It will be appreciated, however, that thes'ections "16a and 1Gb could be formed integrally'if so desired, but as shown the sections 16a and 16b are threadedtoge'ther by threads 16e` to form the complete adapter 16 (Figure 3A). The upper end of each slot 19 is provided with a laterally extending shoulder 19a and aninclined or tapered sur# face 19b adjacent thereto which are adapted to'be contacted by the latching arms 17 upon adownward movement of the adapter 16 relative to the arms 17. -When the upper edges of the projections 17e contact thelateral shoulders 19a, the arms 17 cannot move upward relative to the adapter 16, but when the adapter .16fis rotated to the left or counterclockwise (as viewed vfrom topof Figure 3A) the projections 17c contact the inclined surface 19b and the arms 17 are forcedradially inwardly so that the arms 17 can be moved upwardly relative to the slots 19 for thereby releasing the non-rotative-latched connection of the arms 17 in the latch slotsl 19.

Stop segments 24 are mountedon the body 15 at the lower end of the longitudinal recesses .15b to limit the outward movement ofthe latching arms 17 byV thereontact of the depending projections 17d therewith -when the retrieving assembly A is not positionedin the' support 10 or the adapter 16.

A mandrel 25 having a longitudinal bore 25a Vtherethrough has at its lower end threads 25b which yare connected to threads e on `the upper inner .enlarged-bore of the latching bodyv15. The mandrel 25 extends upwardly from the latching body 15 and ithas formed on its upper end (Figure 3) a slip expander or cone 26 :which has an outer downwardly land inwardlyinclinedisurface 26a, the purpose of which wllbehereinafterl explained.

A slip-body 28 lwhich is annular in .construction-surrounds the mandrel 25 and is longitudinally movable with respect to the mandrel 25. Nearthe'lowerend-of the slip body 28, a pluralitybf friction 4ondragrshoes 30 are mounted'in longitudinal recesses .31 formed in the slip body 28. Each friction shoe 30 has aplurality of 4 socketsrlla in the rear wall thereof in which coiled .springs 3-2.are positioned. .The inner portions of the springs 32 contact the longitudinal inner wall 31a of the groove 31 and are coniined under compression to urge the friction shoes 30 radially or laterally outwardly into contact with the inner surface of the tubular support 10. Each shoe 30 has an upper stop lug 30h and a lower stop lug 30e which are adapted to :contact stop plates 35 and 36, respectively, which are mounted on the slip body 28 at the upperl and lower'ends ofthe longitudinally formed slot 31, whereby the shoes 30 arelimited in their outward movement.

Slipsforrslip segments 40 -which'preferably have downwardly extending .gripping teeth 40a thereon are positioned near the upper end of the slip body 28 within longitudinal slots 28a formed in the wall of the body 28 at the upper end thereof. Each of the slips or slip segments 40 has a downwardly and inwardly inclined surface 40h which'has substantially the-same inclination as the inclined surface 26a on the expander or cone 26. The slips or slip segments 40 are urged toa retracted position (Figures 3 and 4) by annular springs 42 and43 which vfit within recesses 40e` and 40d, respectively. As will be explained,-'the slip expander or cone 26 is in an upper position (Figure l) during the lowering ofthe overshot apparatus into the well bore, and the retrieving assembly or spear device'is 'in the non-settable or non-anchorable position (Figure V3), but after the threaded pin 12 has been connectedto the'stuck pipe P, the anchoring apparatus A is moved to a settable or anchorable position (Figure 1l) Vso thatit will automatically effect a setting or anchoring of the'slips 40 in gripping Contact with the tubular'support 10 upon a downward movement of the stuck pipe vP (Figure l2).

Whether'the slips'of the retrieving assembly or spear device =are in a non-settable position or a settable position is determined by the position of a clutch sleeve or ring"'(1"igures 3 and l1) which is slidably mounted around the'upper endof the vmandrel 25 and belowtheslipexpander or `cone 26. The clutch sleeve 50 has longitudinal clutch 'lingers 51 which are circumferentiallydisposed with longitudinal openings 52 therebetween. Longitudinal 'clutch fingers 53 are located on the mandrel'25 at its upper .end and below the cone 26 and are lformed integrally with 'the mandrel '25 or are held thereon by 'screws'54 or other suitable securing means. Relative rotation between the clutch sleeve 50 and the mandrel 25. isprevented when the fingers 53 on the mandrel 25 arepositioned in the longitudinal .openings or slots 52 between the longitudinal fingers 51 on the clutch sleeve 50(Figure 3).

The lower end of the clutchsleeve 50 is formed with a cam surface 55 having two-diametrically opposed lower cam surfaces 55a cach of which extends laterally and is relatively narrow in width. The lower lateral surfaces 55a are connected'bylwoupwardly curved cam surfaces 55h, each of .which has an upper surface 55e at its midportion extendinglaterally. Since the surfaces 55a and tending `radial shoulder .28b Within the bore of the slip- 55e` are lateral, the camy surfaces 55b are. inclined upwardly and inwardly (as indicated bythe dotted lines in Figure 10). Acarnsleeve 57 supports and ispositioned below the clutch sleeve 50-on anannular inwardly exever, when the sleeve is in lowered position, sufcientY downward movement of the cone relative to the'slips `can be eiected to set said slips. The camsurface 58 ofthe cam .sleeve 57 has upper lateral surfaces 58a, which are connected by two downwardly curved cam surfaces 58b which are complementary to the upwardly curved cam surfaces 55b of the cam surface 55 and each surface 58b has a lateral surface 58e at its mid-portion. When the clutch member 55 is in its raised position, the lower lateral surfaces 55a rest upon the upper lateral surfaces 58a (Figure 3) but when the clutch member 55 is in its lowered or anchoring position, the surfaces 55a are disposed in contact with the lower mid-portions 58e of the cam surface 58 (Figures l1 and 12).

The clutch sleeve 50 has a guide slot 60 formed therein which is inclined upwardly and which receives a pin or lug 62 (Figures 3 and 5), which is mounted in the slip body 28 and extends into the slot 60. When the lower lateral surfaces 55a of the cam surface 55 are in engagement with the upper lateral surfaces 58a of the cam surface 58, the pin 62 is in the extreme loweror right end of the slot 60 (Figure 3). Upon a rotation of the body 28 to the right or clockwise relative to sleeve 50 (as viewed from the top of Figures l or 3) the pin or lug 62 moves therewith to the right or clockwise in the slot 60 toward the upper end thereof since the clutch sleeve 50 is held on the mandrel 25 against rotational movement by the engagement of the fingers 51 and 53. lAs the pin 62 moves in the slot 60, the cam sleeve 57 also is moved with the body 28 relative to the clutch sleeve v50 so that the lower lateral surfaces 55a on the clutch sleeve 50 slide from the lateral surfaces 58a along the inclined surfaces 58b of the cam sleeve 57 until the clutch sleeve 5,0 reaches its fully lowered or anchoring position (Figure 1l), at which time the pin 62 has reached the upper` end of the slot 60. It will be evident that the conguration of the slot 60 can vary but the configuration should be such that the movement of the pin 62 in' the slot 60 does not interfere with the cam action between cam surfaces `55 and 58 as the clutch sleeve 50 moves from its raised position to its lowered position. Y

In some cases, it may be necessary or desirable to remove the retrieving assembly A from the wash pipe or tubular support for example, such would be the case if the wash pipe 10 became stuck in the well bore B. The safety joint 14 (Figures l, 2, 3B, and 7) is therefore provided for the purpose of permitting the removal of the retrieving assembly A from lthe wash pipe 10 and it has an inner safety joint member 70 connected to the lower end of the latching body (Figure 3A) by the threaded connection of a threaded pin 15g on the body 15 with a threaded box`70a on the member 70. The

member 70 is tubular and has a lower tubular connecting section 71 which is of a reduced outer diameter as compared to the portion of the member 70 thereabove, whereby an annular lateral shoulder 72 is provided (Figure 3B). The connecting section 71 telescopes or fits Within a'bore 75a of an outer safety joint member 75 having the connecting pin 12 therebelow. The outer member 75 is provided with one or more upper slots or grooves 76 which are open at their upper and lower ends, and the lower ends are aligned with a lateral leg 77 of a T-shaped slot or opening in the outer member 75 which includes a longitudinal leg 78. The connecting section 71 has a lug 80 thereon for each of the grooves 76 and the T-slots 77, 78 so that the safety joint 14 is initially made up by lowering the lugs 80 down through the grooves 76 and into the lateral leg 77; then the inner member 70 is rotated to the right (as viewed from top of Figure 3B) relative to the outer member 75 to thereby move the lugs 80 in the lateral legs 77 until they reach the longitudinal legs 78; then the inner member 70 is lowered relative to the outer member 75 until the shoulder 72 on the inner member 71 contacts the upper ends 75b of the outer member 75, at which time the lugs 80 havemoved into the lower portion of the longitudinal leg 78 below the 6 V lateral leg 77. In such position,vthe lugs 80 are releasably connected to the outer member 75 by shear pins 82. It will be evident that to effect a release of the lugs from the member 75 when it desired to break the safety joint coupling, an upward force is iirst applied toshear the shear pins 82, the lugs 80 are raised and aligned with the lateral legs 77 and moved therein until they are aligned with the grooves 76 at which time an upward movement of the lugs 80 in the grooves 76 completely releases the inner member 70 from the outer member 75. It is pointed out that the upper portion of the longitudinal leg 78 is provided above the lateral leg 77 so that in the event the pins 82 are inadvertantly or prematurely sheared and the members 71 and 75 are extended relative to each other, the lugs 80 will move into the upper portions of the legs 78 so that the lugs 80 do not move into the lateral legs 77. Thus, premature release of the safety joint 14 is prevented.

In the operation or use of the wash over spear apparatus of this invention, the apparatus is lowered as shown in Figure l with the latching arms 17 positioned in the latch slots 19 of the adapter 16 so that the anchoring device A is supported thereby and is therefore lowered with the wash pipe or tubular support 10. During the lowerering operation, the slip body 28 is in a lowered position (Figure 1) with respect to the mandrel and the clutch sleeve 50 is in a raised position by reason of the contact of the lower lateral cam surfaces 55a thereof with the upper lateral cam surfaces 58a of sleeve 27 (Figure 3). The slips or slip segments 40 are thus well below the slip expander 26 and are in their retracted position so that they do not engage the inner surface of the wash pipe 10.

After the drill bit 11 has passed over the stuck pipe P, the wash over spear apparatus is lowered sufficiently to engage the connecting threaded pin 12 with `the box 13 of the stuck pipe P. When such engagement occurs, the wash pipe 10 is rota-ted to the right or clockwise (as viewed from the Itop of Figure 1) by rotating the tubular support or drill pipe (not shown) which supports the pipe 10 from the surface of the well. The rotation of the wash pipe 10 is imparted to the threaded connecting pin 12 by reason of the engagement of the projections 17e` of the latching arms 17 in the latch slots 19 of the adapter 16. It will be noted that disconnection of the arms 17 from the slots 19 is prevented during such rotation even if slight rela-tive longitudinal movement occurs between the wash pipe 10 yand the anchoring assembly A, since the right hand rotation of the wash pipe 10 positions the projections 17C below the lateral shoulders 19a of the slots 19.

After the connecting pin 12 is connected to the threaded box 13, the wash pipe 16 is rotated to lthe left or counter-clockwise to move the projections 17c to a position below the inclined surfaces 19b of the slots 19. Then the wash pipe 10 is slacked olf or lowered. Since the retrieving assembly or spear device A is connected to the stuck pipe P, lthe wash pipe 10, bit 11, and adapter 16 are moved downwardly relative to the anchoring assem- =bly and such lowering is continued until ythe bit 11 has moved downwardly from the latched position a distance slightly greater than the distance from the upper end of the slip-s 40 to the upper end of the slip expander 26. Then, Ithe wash pipe 16, bit 11, and adapter 16 are raised and during such raising the slip body 28 is moved upwardly with the wash pipe 10 and relative to the mandrel 25 due to the frictional engagement of the friction shoes 30 with the wash pipe 10. The upward movement of the body 28 and wash pipe 10 is continued until the clutch ngers 51 o-n the clutch sleeve 50 slide between the clutch fingers 53 on the mandrel 25 so `that the fingers 51 and 53 are interengaged (Figure 3). Then, the wash pipe 10 is rotated to the right or clockwise and the slip body 28 moves therewith due to -the frictional engagement of `the friction shoes 30 with the wash pipe 10. As thev body 28 is thus rotated to Athe right, the cam sleevel 57 is rotated to the rightsince it is connected vtothe b'ody 28but the clutch sleeve 50 is held against rotation since the mandrel 25 is held against movement by reason of the connection,.rof the connecting pin l2 to ythe stuck pipe P and the fingers 51 and 53 are interengaged. Therefore, rotation of the cam sleeve 57 relative to the clutch sleevel 50 is effected to move the clutch sleeve 50 from its raised or non-settable position to its lowered or settable position in which the lower lateral surfaces 55u of the cam surface 55 are moved to the mid-portions 58e of the cam surface 58 (Figure ll). will 1be evident that as said cam sleeve 57 is rotated relative to said clutchl sleeve 50, the pin 62 on the body 28 is rotated relative to the sleeve Si? and slides in the shaped slot 60, When the pin 62 reaches the upper end of the slot 69, further rotation of the slip body 2S to the lright is prevented since. lthen the body 2S is locked to the sleeve Sii, and therefore evenif right hand rotation of the wash pipe is continued, the clutch sleeve 50 is notmoved outof the lowered or settable position.

With the clutch sleeve S in the lowered or settable position, the wash pipe 1i) isagain lowered and upon such lowering, the slip body 23 is carried downwardly and away from the slip expander 26 until the lower end of the slip body 28 again rests upon the upper end of the latching body l5. The wash pipe is lowered until the bit 11 contacts the keyseat B and then ythe wash pipe is rotated to rotate the drill bit 11 to effect lthe dril-ling out of such keyseat B. Washing fluid is circulated through Ithe wash pipe 10 around the retrieving assembly or spear device A to the bit 11 during the rotary drilling.

After the drill bit 11 has drilled a suicient amount of the keyseat B of the well bore B which is causing the pipe P to be stuck in the well bore, the well pipe P generally tends to fall downwardly and if such downward movement is not limited, the pipe below is apt to hit on the bottom of the Well bore and be buckled or otherwise damaged. However, the apparatus of this in-' t vention prevents such buckling or other damage to the stuck pipe P or to the pipe ltherebelow because, as the stuck pipe P begins to fall-in the well bore, the mandrel 2S is carried downwardly therewith from its normal operating position and the cone 26 is carried downwardly relative to the slips 4i) because lthe slips i0 are held against downward movement by lthe frictional engagement of the drag or friction shoes 30 with the tubular support 10. As the cone 26 moves downwardly relative to the slips 4() the fingers 53 on the mandrel 2.5 move into the longitudinal 4openings 52 between the fingers 51 and since the clutch sleeve S is in its lowered or settable position (Figure l1), the cone 26 is permitted to move downwardly a suiiicient distance Ato cause the outer tapered or inclined surface 26a of the cone 26 to engage the inner surfaces 4% of the slips 40 and by a wedging action, the slips 40 are moved outwardly into their anchored position in engagement with 'the inner surfaces of the wash pipe or tubular support 10 (Figures 2 and 12). Thus, the stuck pipe P and the pipe connected therebelow can only move downwardly a limited distance, which is determined -by the distance from the slip expander 26 to the slips 4Q when the body 2S is seated on the latching body 15 (Figure l) and the pin 12 is connected to 'the stuck pipe P,'which is the normal drilling position. Such limited amount of downward movement of the stuck pipe P prior to the setting of the slips 40 is not sufficient to damage the stuck pipe P or the pipe therebelow. After the slips 40 are set in the tubular support 10, the stuck pipe P is then, in effect, supported by the drill pipe connected to lthe tubular support 10, and the stuck pipe P then can be removed from the well bore by raising upwardly on the drill pipe and the tubular support 10.

It is noted that if the stuck pipe is resting on bottom and does not fall downwardly to cause the expander cone 26 to move downwardly relative to the slips 4G, it is only necessaryto pick upon the drill pipe to raise .the wash pipev 10; this raises the slip body 28 and slips by reason of the friotional engagement between the friction shoes 30 and the wash pipe to thereby raise the slips relative to the cone and set said slips. Thereafter continued upward movementv of the drill and wash pipe lifts the retrieving assembly and well pipe attached to the lower end of said assembly.

During the washing operation, that is, prior to the time that the stuck pipe is actually washed loose, it may become necessary to raise the wash pipe a distance upwardly with respect to the retrieving assembly which would cause setting of the gripping slips; for example, if another sect-ion of pipe is to be added to the wash pipe string, the wash pipe would necessarily have to be raised a considerable distance. If it is desired to move the wash pipe upwardly a substantial distance without setting the slips, the wash pipe is turned to the left which actuates the cam collar 57 and clutch sleeve 50 to raise the latter on the mandrel into non-settable position, after which the wash pipe may be raised relative to the retrieving assembly without setting the slips. Of course, after the wash pipe is again lowered to continue with the washing operation, said pipe is rotated to the right to again lower the clutch sleeve 50 and position the gripping slips in settable position, as herein'before described.

In the event the wash pipe or tubular support 10 becomes stuck in the well bore B after the retrieving assembly A has been connected to the stuck pipe P, a retrieving pipe (not shown) is lowered into the wash pipe 10 and the lower end of such retrieving pipe is threaded -into the threaded tool joint box 2Gb (Figures 1 and 2) abovel the slip expander 26. Then an upward pull is applied to the retrieving pipe which moves the mandrel Z5, latching body 15, and inner safety joint member upwardly, whereby the lugs 80 are moved upwardly relative to the outer safety joint member 7S to shear the shear pins 82. A left hand torque is applied to the retrieving pipe and as it is raised, the lugs 80 move into the lateral leg 77 whereby further upward movement of the retrieving pipe moves the lugs 30 upwardly through the longitudinal grooves 76 so that a disconnection of the safety joint member 70 from the safety joint member is effected. Thereafter, the entire retrieving assembly A is removed from the wash pipe 10 except for the outer safety joint member 75 which remains attached to the stuck pipe P, The usual fishing operations are then conducted to remove the wash pipe 10, if desired.

As described herein, the cam sleeve or collar 57 and the clutch sleeve 50 have been described as being positioned as shown in Figure 3, which is .the position when thel slips are prevented from setting, as the apparatus is` initially lowered into the well bore. However, since the retrieving assembly is supported by the latches 17 as it is initially lowered into the well bore, it would make no difference what the position of the clutch sleeve to the cam collar might be during such lowering. Of course, subsequent to connecting the retrieving assembly to the stuck pipe, the wash pipe would be manipulated in the manner described to assure that the clutch sleeve is properly positioned to permit a setting of the slips upon any downward movement of the retrieving assembly with respect .to the wash pipe.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. As a subcombination in a washover apparatus, a retrieving assembly adapted to be positioned in a tubular pipe for lowering into a well bore to effect the washing around and loosening of a stuck pipe, including a grapple means for engagement with the stuck pipe, coacting means on the retrieving assembly and tu-bular pipe for connecting said assembly andY tubular pipe so that manipulation of the tubular pipe will efect' a connection 0f the grapple with the stuck pipe, a mandrel connected to said grapple means and extending upwardly therefrom, a sleeve on said mandrel movable longitudinally relative thereto, pipe gripping slips carried by said sleeve for gripping engagement with the inside of said tubular pipe, slip expander means on said mandrelpositioned above said slips and adapted to be moved downwardly relative thereto and into engagement therewith for urging said slips outwardly into gripping engagement ,with the tubular pipe, friction means on said sleeve forengagement with said tubular pipe for holding said slips a predetermined distance below said slip expander as the tubular pipe is lowered around the stuck pipe to thereby normally prevent the setting of the slips, and said friction means also holding said sleeve against downward movement relative to ,said mandrel upon a lowering of the mandrel and the stuck sh so that the slip expander is lowered relative to the slips to set .same in gripping engagement with the wash pipe upon a dropping of the stuck sh said predetermined distance.

2. A wash-over spear apparatus adapted to be lowered into a well bore comprising,v a wash pipe adapted to be suspended in the well bore from a pipe string, an annular drill bit connected to the lower end of said wash pipe for drilling around a stuck pipe in the well bore, and a retrieving assembly slidably disposed in said wash pipe including, a mandrel extending longitudinally within said Wash pipe, a connection means on said mandrel for connecting 4the retrieving assembly with, the stuck'pipe,I a releasable'latch means on said mandrel for initially releasably latching said retrieving assembly tosaid wash pipe whereby said wash pipe may bevmanipulated to connect the connection means on said mandrel to said stuck pipe, a slip expander secured to s'a-idY mandrel, anchoring means including anchoring `slips mounted on said mandrel lbelow said slip expander adapted to move into anchoring engagement with said wash pipe upon downward movement of saidrexpanderrelative thereto, Vsaid slip expander being movable downwardly relative to said slips toV move said slipsk into anchoring engagement with said wash pipe when'said stuck pipe becomes loosened and falls downwardly through a limited distance whereby the stuck pipe is prevented from falling in `the well bore a distance sufficient to cause buckling or other damage thereto, said anchoring means including an annular slip body surrounding said mandrel, means connecting said anchoring slips to said slip body, said-slip body and said slips being longitudinally movable relative to said mandrel, and friction means on said slip body engageable with said wash pipe for maintaining said slip body and said slips in position spaced below ,said slip expander and out of contact therewith to thereby Prevent anchoring of said slips in the wash pipe until the loosened stuck pipe moves downwardly to move the slip expander downwardly for expanding the slips into their anchoring engagement with the wash pipe.

3. A wash-over spear apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said releasable latch means includesa latching member on said mandrel, and a latch adapter engageable by said latching member and connected to said wash pipe above said drill bit Vfor transmitting a rotation of said wash vpipe to said mandrel and to said connection means to connect said retrieving assembly to the stuck pipe.

4. A wash-over spear apparatus as set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid releasable latch means includes a latching member on said mandrel, a latch adapter engageable by said latching member and connected tosaid washv pipe above said drill bit for transmitting a rotation of said wash pipe to said mandrel and to said connection means to connect said retrieving assembly to the stuck pipe, and means to release said latching member from said latch adapter upon a rotation of said wash pipe in the opposite 41t) direction from that required to connect the 'retrieving assembly and the stuck pipe whereby said wash pipe can be rotated relative to said retrieving assembly.

5. A wash-over spear apparatus adapted to be lowered into a well bore, comprising a wash pipe adapted to be suspended in the well bore from a pipe string, an annular drill bit connected to the lower end of said wash pipe for drilling around a stuck pipe in the .well bore, and a retrieving assembly slidably disposed in said wash pipe including, a mandrel extending longitudinally within said wash pipe, a connection means on said mandrel for connecting the retrieving assembly with the stuck pipe, a releasable latch means on said mandrel for initially releasably latching said retrieving assembly to said wash pipe whereby said wash pipe may be manipulated to connect the connection means on said mandrel to said stuck pipe, a slip expander secured to said mandrel, anchoring means including anchoring slips mounted on said mandrel below said slip expander adapted to move into anchoring engagement with said wash pipe upon downward movement of said expander relative thereto, said slip expander being movable downwardly relative to said slips to move said slips into anchoring engagement with said wash pipe when said stuck pipe becomes loose and falls downwardly through a limited distance whereby the stuck pipe is prevented from falling in the well bore a distance suflcient to cause buckling or other damage thereto, and a safety joint between said mandrel and said connection means for permitting disengagement and removal of said retrieving assembly from said connection means. y

6. A wash-over apparatus comprising, a wash pipe, a retrieving assembly slidably disposed in said wash pipe and including, connection means forconnecting said as-` sembly to the stuck pipe, means for releasably securing said retrieving assembly to said wash pipe so that said wash piperyand said assemblymay be lowered together` in the well'bore and actuated- Vto connect said connection means'to the stuck pipe upon manipulation of said wash pipe, means on said wash pipe .operable upon a manipulation of the wash pipe `after the retrieving assembly has beenrconnected to lthe stuck pipe for releasing said -securing means to thereafter permit relative longitudinal movement between said `wash pipe and said retrieving-assembly, normally retracted anchoring .means forming part of `said retrieving assembly adapted to be expanded outwardly into gripping engagement with the bore of the wash` pipe, said `anchoring means being normally disengaged from said wash pipe when retracted to permit movement of said wash pipe relative to said retrieving assembly and to thel stuck pipe to carry out a washeover operation, and actuating means on said retrieving assembly movable downwardly with respect to the anchoring means for expanding said anchoring means outwardly into grippingengagement with the wash pipe when said stuck pipe 4becomes loosened and moves downwardly through a predetermined distance whereby damage to the stuck pipe from falling in the well bore is prevented.

7. A wash-over apparatusk comprising, a wash pipe,

a retrieving'assembly slidably disposedin said wash pipe,

and including, connection means for connecting said assembly to the stuck pipe, means yfor releasably securing said retrieving assembly to said wash pipe so that said wash pipe and Vsaid assembly may be lowered together in thepwell bore and actuated to connect said connection means to the stuck pipe upon a manipulation of said wash pipe, means on said wash pipe operable upon a manipulation of the wash pipe after the retrieving assembly has been connected to the stuck pipe for releasing said securing means tovthereafter permit relative longitudinalV movement between said wash pipe and said retrieving assembly, normally retracted anchoring means forming part of said retrieving assembly adapted to be expanded voutwardly into gripping engagement with the bore of the wash pipe, said anchoring means being normally disengaged from said wash v pipe when retracted to permit movement of said wash pipe relative to said retrieving assembly and to the stuck pipe to carry out a wash-over operation, and actuating means on said retrieving assembly and movable with respect to the anchoring means for expanding said anchoring means outwardly into gripping engagement with the wash pipe, said actuating means being operated upon relative movement between the wash pipe and retrieving assembly in opposite directions which in effect moves the retrieving assembly downwardly with respect to the wash pipe.

8. A wash-over spear apparatus including, a tubular wash pipe adapted to be lowered into a well bore for directing washing iluid around a stuck pipe in the well bore for loosening said stuck pipe, a retrieving assembly slidable in said wash pipe, means for positioning said assembly against downward movement in said tubular wash pipe, means on said retrieving assembly for attaching said assembly to said stuck pipe, coacting means on the pipe and retrieving assembly for non-rotatively connecting the pipe and assembly so that the pipe may be manipulated to attach the retrieving assembly to the stuck pipe, normally retracted anchoring means forming part of said retrieving assembly adapted to be expanded outwardly into gripping engagement with the bore of the wash'pipe, said anchoring means being normally disengaged from said wash pipe when retracted to permit movement of said wash pipe relative to said retrieving assembly and to the stuck pipe to carry out a wash-over operation, and actuating means on said retrieving assembly movable downwardly with respect to the anchoring means for expanding said anchoring means outwardly into gripping engagement with the wash pipe when said stuck pipe becomes loosened and moves downwardly through a predetermined distance, whereby damage to the stuck pipe from falling in the well bore is prevented.

9. A wash-over spear apparatus as set forth in claim 8, together with a safety joint disposed between the retrievingV assembly and the attaching means at the lower end thereof, whereby the retrieving assembly may -be disconnected from the attaching means in the event the stuck pipe cannot be removed from the well bore after said attaching means has been connected with said stuck pipe.l

10. A wash-over spear apparatus including, a tubular wash pipe adapted to be lowered into a well bore for directing washing lluid around a stuck pipe in the well bore for loosening said stuck pipe, a retrieving assembly slidable in said wash pipe, means for positioning said assembly against downward movement in said tubular wash pipe, means on said retrieving assembly for attaching said assembly to said stuck pipe, coacting means on the pipe and retrieving assembly for non-rotatively connecting the pipe and assembly so that the pipe may be manipulated to attach the retrieving assembly to the stuck pipe, normally retracted anchoring means forming part of said retrieving assembly adapted to be expanded outwardly into gripping engagement with the bore off the wash pipe, said anchoring means being normally disengaged from said wash pipe when retracted to permit movement of said wash pipe relative to said retrieving assembly and to the stuck pipe to carry out a wash-over operation, and actuating means on said retrieving assembly and movable with respect to the anchoring means for eX- panding the anchoring means outwardly into gripping engagement with the wash pipe, said actuating means being operated upon a relative movement between the wash pipe and retrieving assembly in opposite directions which in etect moves the retrieving assembly downwardly with respect to the wash pipe.

ll. A wash-over spear apparatus including, a tubular wash pipe adapted to be lowered Within a well bore to encircle a stuck pipe therein, a retrieving assembly slidably disposed in said wash pipe, means within the wash pipe for supporting said assembly within the bore of the wash pipe against downward movement therein, means at the lower end of the retrieving assembly for attaching said assembly to the stuck pipe, co-acting means on the wash pipe and retrieving assembly to non-movably connect said pipe and assembly whereby the assembly may be connected to the stuck pipe by manipulation of the wash pipe, said co-acting means being disconnectable and said wash pipe being movable downwardly relative to the retrieving assembly and stuck pipe when said assembly is attached to the stuck pipe, whereby the retrieving assembly and stuck pipe in eiect may move upwardly with respect to said wash pipe and also whereby the wash pipe may be utilized to carry out a wash-over operation, said retrieving assembly including a mandrel having a slip expanded thereon, anchoring means including normally retracted gripping slips slidably mounted on the mandrel and movable outwardly into gripping engagement with the wash pipe upon a relative downward movement of the mandrel and expander with respect to the slips, and friction means connected with the grippingslips and engageable with the wash pipe, whereby, when the wash pipe is moved downwardly relative to the retrieving assembly, the gripping slips are also urged downwardly relative to the expander to maintain the slips in nonengaged position, a predetermined relative movement of the wash pipe upwardly with respect to the retrieving assembly resulting in a relative downward movement of the mandrel with respect to the slips to move the slips into gripping engagement with the wash pipe.

l2. A wash-over spear as set forth in claim ll, together with a safety joint between the retrieving assembly and the means for attaching said assembly to the stuck pipe, whereby said assembly may be separated from said attaching means.

13. A wash-over spear apparatus as set -forth in claim 1l, together with means forming part of the retrieving assembly and comprising co-acting means on the mandrel and on said anchoring means for limiting relative movement between the mandrel and anchoring means to prevent the gripping slips from moving into engagement with the wash pipe, said co-acting means being actuatable by manipulation of said wash pipe.

14. A'wash-over spear apparatus as set forth in claim ll, together with locking means forming part ofthe retrieving `assembly and interposed between the mandrel and the anchoring means, said locking means being movable to one position to lock said mandrel and anchoring means to prevent setting of said gripping slips and being movable to a second position to release said mandrel and anchoring means to allow setting of said gripping slips upon predetermined relative movement of the wash pipe upwardly with respect to the retrieving assembly, said locking means being actuatable to selectively position the same in either of Said positions by manipulation of the wash pipe.

15. A wash-over spear apparatus as set forth in claim 1l, together with a projection on the mandrel, a clutch sleeve surrounding the mandrel and having its upper end recessed to receive said projection on the mandrel, said sleeve being movable longitudinally with respect to the gripping slips of the anchoring means and having a cam surface on its lower end, a cam collar secured to the anchoring means and located in surrounding relationship to the mandrel below the clutch sleeve, said cam collar having a cam surface on its upper end engageable with the cam surface on the clutch sleeve, means limiting turning movement between the cam collar and clutch sleeve in both directions, turning movement of the cam collar in one direction raising the clutch sleeve with respect to the anchoring means and turning movement of the cam collar in an opposite direction lowering said clutch sleeve, the position of the clutch sleeve with respect to the anchoring means controlling the relative movementV between the mandrel and the gripping slips of said anchoring means, whereby when the clutch sleeve is in raised position relative to the anchoring means, the

gripping slips cannot move to gripping position engaging,

the wash pipe, and when the clutch sleeve is in lowered position relative to the anchoring means sufficientrelativeV longitudinal movement between the mandrel and anchoring means may occur to move the gripping slips of said anchoring means into gripping engagement with the wash p1pe.

16. A wash-over spear apparatus as set forth in claim 1l, together with a plurality of longitudinally extending projections on the mandrel, a clutch sleeve movable longitudinally on the mandrel and having a plurality of longitudinally extending clutch fingers on its upper end which are adapted to interfit with said longitudinal projections to non-rotatively couple the sleeve to the mandrel, said sleeve being movable longitudinally with respect to the gripping slips of the anchoring means and having a cam surface on its lower Vend, a cam collar secured to the anchoring means and located in surrounding relationship to themandrel below the clutch sleeve, said collar having a cam surface on its upper end engageable with the cam surface on the clutch sleeve, means limiting turning movement between the cam collar-and clutch sleeve in both directions, turning movement of the cam collar in one direction raising the clutch sleeve with respect to the anchoring means and turning movement of the cam collar in an opposite direction lowering said clutch sleeve, the position of the clutch sleeve with respect to the anchoring means controlling the relative movement between the mandrel and the gripping slips of said anchoring means, whereby when the clutch sleeve is in raised position relative to the anchoring means, the gripping slips cannot move to gripping position engaging the wash pipe, and when the clutch sleeve is in lowered position relative to the anchoring means sufficient relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel and anchoring means may occur to move the gripping slips of said anchoring means into gripping engagement with the wash pipe.

17. A wash-over spear apparatus as set forth in claim ll, together with a projection on the mandrel, a clutch sleeve surrounding the mandrel and having its upper end recessed to receive said projection on the mandrel, said sleeve being movable longitudinally with respect to the gripping slips of the anchoring means and having a cam surface on its lower end, a cam collar secured to the anchoring means and located in surrounding relationship to the mandrel below the clutch sleeve, said cam collar having a cam surface on its upper end engageable with the cam surface on the clutch sleeve, means limiting turning movement between the cam collar and clutch sleeve in both directions, turning movement of the cam collar in one direction raising the clutch sleeve with respect to the anchoring means and turning movement of the cam collar in an opposite direction lowering said clutch sleeve, the position of the clutch sleeve with respect to the anchoring means controlling the relative movement between the mandrel and the gripping slips of said anchoring means, whereby when the clutch sleeve is in raised position relative to the anchoring means, the gripping slips cannot move to gripping position engaging the wash pipe, and when the clutch sleeve 1s 1n lowered position relative to the anchoring means suficient relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel and anchoring means may occur to move the gripping slips of said anchoring means into gripping. engagement with the wash pipe, said means for limiting turning movement between the cam collar and clutch sleeve comprising a pin and cam slot connection between the gripping slips and the clutch sleeve, said pin and slot also assisting in downward movement of the clutch sleeve when the cam collar is rotated in one direction relative to the clutch sleeve.

18. The combination with a wash-over pipe which is connected to a tubular conductor and adapted to be lowered within a well bore, of a retrieving assembly slidable within the wash pipe, releasable means for non-rotatably supporting said assembly in the wash vpipe against downward movement within said wash pipe as the same is lowered within the well bore, connecting means on the lower end of the retrieving assembly for connecting said retrieving assembly to the stuck pipe, said connecting means` being actuated by manipulating the wash pipe which imparts movement to the retrieving assembly to make said connection, said wash pipe being thereafter moved downwardly relative to the retrieving assembly-and stuck pipe to disengage said releasable means whereby the retrieving assembly may subsequently move longitudinally relative to the wash pipe, anchoring means forming part of the retrieving assembly and including gripping slips, and an expander movable relative to the slips and connected with the stuck pipe, whereby the gripping slips are moved into engagement with the wash pipe to anchor the retrieving assembly to the wash pipe upon relative movement between the wash pipe and retrieving assembly in opposite directions which, in effect, moves the expander downwardly with respect tothe gripping slips to expand the same whereby the wash pipe may be lifted to lift both the retrieving assembly and connected stuck pipe from the well bore.

19. A wash-over spear apparatus as set forth in claim l8,together with a safety joint between the lower endl of the mandrel and the means for connecting said mandrel to a stuck pipe, whereby the retrieving assembly may be separated from said attaching means.

20. The combination with a Wash-over pipe which is connected to a tubular conductor and adapted to be lowered within a well bore, of a retrieving assembly slidable within the wash pipe, releasable means for nonrotatably supporting said assembly in the wash pipe against downward movement within said wash pipe as the same is lowered within the well bore, connecting means on the lower end of the retrieving assembly for connecting said retrieving assembly to the stuck pipe, said connecting means being actuated by manipulating the wash pipe which imparts movement to the retrieving assembly to make said connection, said wash pipe being thereafter moved downwardly relative to the retrieving assembly and stuck pipe to disengage the releasable means whereby the retrieving assembly may subsequently move longitudinally relative to the wash pipe, said retrieving assembly including a mandrel having means at its lower end for connecting to the stuck pipe, a gripping slip um't slidably mounted on the mandrel and having gripping slips which are movable outwardly into gripping engagement with the wash pipe, expander means on the mandrel coacting with the gripping slips to move said members outwardly into gripping engagement with the wash pipe upon relative downward movement of the mandrel with respect to said slips, friction means between the gripping slip unit and the wash pipe which urges the gripping slip unit downwardly with respect to the mandrel so long as the wash pipe is moving downwardly relative to the expander means on the mandrel of the retrieving assembly to maintain the gripping slips of said unit in non-gripping position, said friction means also functioning to move said gripping slips upwardly relative to the expander means and into gripping position when the wash pipe is moved upwardly relative to the retrieving assembly.

2l. As a subcombination in a wash-over spear apparatus, a retrieving assembly adapted to be positioned in a tubular pipe and including, a mandrel having means for connecting its lower end to a stuck pipe and having a slip expander thereon, a gripping slip unit slidable and rotatable on the mandrel and having gripping slips which are movable longitudinally relative to the mandrel and expander, the position of said slips longitudinally with respect to said expander controlling the movement of the slips to either a gripping or non-gripping position, frictional means on the gripping slip unit engageable with the bore of the tubular pipe in which the unit is mounted, said frictional means urging the gripping slips downwardly to a non-gripping p osition when the tubularv pipe is lowered with respect to the mandrel and the stuck pipe to which said mandrel is attached, said frictional means also functioning to urge the gripping slips in a direction which will cause their movement into a gripping position by the expander upon an upward relative movement of the tubular pipe with respect to the retrieving assembly, a projection on the mandrel, a clutch sleeve movable longitudinally on the mandrel below the projection so that it is movable longitudinally with respect to the gripping slip unit and having a recess in its upper portion adapted to be engaged by the projection to nonrotatively couple the sleeve to the mandrel, said clutch sleeve having a cam surface on its lower end, a cam collar surrounding the mandrel below the clutch sleeve and secured to the gripping slip unit, whereby the cam collar may be rotated relative to the clutch sleeve and mandrel when the gripping slip unit is rotated with respect to the mandrel, said cam collar having a cam surface on its upper end engageable with the cam surface on the clutch sleeve so that turning movement of the cam collar with respect to the clutch sleeve imparts a longitudinal movement to the clutch sleeve relative to the anchoring unit and gripping slips, and means for limiting the turning movement of the cam collar and clutch sleeve in both directions, the clutch sleeve being movable into Aan upper position relative to the gripping slips when the cam collar is at one limit of its turning movement and being movable to a lower position relative to the gripping slips when the cam collar at its opposite limit of turning movement, said clutch sleeve co-acting with the projection on the mandrel to restrict the relative movement of the gripping slips and mandrel to prevent setting of said slips when the clutch sleeve is in said upper position, the gripping slips being movable to a set position when the clutch sleeve is in said lower position.

22. The sub-combination set forth in claim 21, wherein the means for limiting the turning movement of the cam collar and clutch sleeve comprises a pin secured to the gripping slip unit and a slot formed in the clutch sleeve, said pin being engageable Within said slot.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,521,596 Casey Ian. 6, 1925 1,785,152 Stone et al. Dec. 16, 1930 2,449,841 Claypool et al Sept. 21, 1948 2,577,605 Clayton Dec. 4, 1951 2,604,945 Page July 29, 1952 2,647,008 Stewart et al July 28, 1953 

